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East side votes to split Jordan District

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ohboy! | 6:26 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

Get ready for the circus, it's coming to town.

Shauna | 6:59 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

West Jordan residents weren't allowed a vote on the east side split issue either. We were only allowed a vote on the West Jordan split issue. We would have liked a say in the east side split issue, just as other west side residents would have.

DougS | 7:23 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

It'll be interesting to see if some of the same individuals who are sanctimoniously pontificating about how "the will of the people" rejected vouchers will now run screaming to the courts to try to stop the JSD from splitting.

Comments continue below

speechless | 7:23 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

It is interesting that a community can pay for all of the schools that the east side needed at their growth time, and yet when it is time for them to finally give back they pull out. It is a sad day that we don't take care of the community on the whole. Sandy should be embarrassed as they sit with their two highschools, and all of those middle school and elementary schools built on the backs of the taxpayers of Riverton and Herriman and Bluffdale, and South Jordan. Now we have a boom and you leave us holding the bag! This was a one sided divorce! We worked for you and you gave nothing in return! And to top it off you got the REAL soccer stadium on our taxes, which will only benefit you. Thankyou to those of you who voted against it. I feel bad for you all because of the decision will only cost you more money.

Keep a close eye on this | 7:43 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

The next step will be the Legislature changing the rules of the division in the next session.

Frivalous lawsuit | 7:48 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

These people that voted for a seperate district have that right.

Accountability | 7:51 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

Taxpayers need to hold their cities and new school board accountable for all the promises they've made: smaller class sizes, higher teacher salaries and lower taxes.

Accountibility | 8:01 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

Let the result of this election be a wake-up call to local (Granite) school boards everywhere. When majorities reside in certain areas (west side) of the district, care and sensitivity must reside with every decision. School board members must research subjects thoroughly and make thoughtful, reasoned decisions. School boards should not "rubber stamp" administrative preferences regardless of the significance of the issue. School boards (Granite) should realize that the creation of this new district is a result of school board and administrative arrogance.

Already 2 | 8:10 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

We already have 2 circus' in town. The Jordan School District and the Utah High School Activities Association.

John P. | 8:11 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

This vote haas to do with elitism and power more than anything else. Most on the East Side have always thought they were above those living on the West Side. The new East Side District will need to set aside land next to their new district office to build their Rameumptom, where they will be able to say "We believe that thou has separated us from our brethren". . . "We thank thee that we are a chosen and holy people". Call it what you will, but some things never change.

Teresa | 8:16 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

What a sad commentary on our society that only those who are seen as the "money holders" had a voice in this vote. I live on the east side of the Jordan School District and I am ashamed that Utah would allow this completely one-sided vote to happen. I don't think voters who voted for this split truly understand the implications of this vote. Creating a smaller district is going to cut a number of great programs for both east and west side students. What a tragedy for education!

Westsider | 8:18 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

ONLY THE EAST SIDE OF THE DISTRICT GOT TO VOTE ON THIS....Doesn't anyone see a flaw in that? I live in South Jordan and my taxes are now going to go up 30% because of this, but yet I had NO VOTE. Isn't this unconstitutuional "no taxation without representation?".... Who's ideas was this anyway. It is like asking the Fox to vote if he can have access to the hen house without asking the hens...
What a joke!

mp | 8:22 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

I pray this will blow in the east side selfish face and they realize what a good thing they had. Mayor Cullimore is a waste of fresh air

Big Mistake | 8:26 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

I am sorry, you east siders really blew it. I don't even live in Jordan School District, and I am so glad that I don't now. Unfortunately I have family that do, and I think you have just ruined a perfectly good school district. You all sit there and say you want to split so you can have better local control, when the truth is you really voted to split because you thought you could save yourself a little bit of money on your property taxes, which you are not going to end up saving anything and you just limited the educational opportunities for your children.

Herriman Resident | 8:27 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

As a Herriman Resident, I find this whole issue rather stupid. Herriman and west siders are concerned that we won't get the schools, though we already bonded for and paid for them so they are still coming, and we are so worried that we can't make it with out the East side.

Little do we understand, the East side district will actually financially struggle. If you look at the funding of businesses, then the number 1 and 3 most influencial funders are on the west side, Kennecot and Jordan Landing, not to mention The District, and great growth in So. Jordan, Riverton, and West Jordan. I say to the rest of us West Siders, RELAX! Let's now push forward and make a better District, and focus on the future not the past!

Mayor Crane and the Herriman City Council need to stop wasting our Tax dollars on lawsuits, and start focusing on matters for the future: Future Schools, Transportation, and no business infrastructure for Herriman!

Dear Shauna | 8:33 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

I'm sure everyone would like to vote on anything they choose to. I'd sure have liked to vote on the Public Safety Bond for SLC which was sorely needed and had an affect on everyone in SL County to some extent, but I don't live there, am not subject to the taxing authority, and so do not have a right to vote on it.
Now the decision for a new school district is made. It is up to everyone involved to (at the very least) make sure that the educational needs of all children are improved. This is now much easier.
I know there are those on the west side who have remained silent that supported the issue for the same reasons support on the east side - local control. self-determination, local focus, and improved interaction of schools with their communities.
For those who still beleive bigger is better in school districts, just wait - Jordan will be back to 75,000 kids in less than 10 years.

Wow! | 8:37 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

Considering all the negatives involved in yesterday's election (vouchers with vote "NO" ads everywhere, DMN/TRIB/KSL editorialists using Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt to encourage "NO" votes, etc.) it's almost amazing that this passed.
It just goes to show it's hard to put down a truely grass-roots movement that reflect what the people want.
Chalk up another win for citizens being able to govern themselves better.

School Taxes | 8:38 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

I'm sick of my tax dollars going to the West side schools, while Jordan School Dist. did nothing new for the East side schools until this year. (because of this vote) We pay much more in taxes on the east side and it's not equal. Now the money will be spent where itï¿½s paid from. If you donï¿½t like it, move and pay more. Draper needs a high school and they canï¿½t get it because all the money goes to feed west side high schools. Draper residents pay much greater tax amounts than anyone in the state of Utah. Explain the rational there? Pay more, get less. Alta is too big and classes are over crowed. You donï¿½t have that issue on the west side; they have enough high schools to cover their population.

Gary | 8:38 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

I don't understand the rationale for allowing only some to vote. Isn't each half of the split equally "new"? The "new" West Jordan isn't at all the same as the previous, unified district!

It will be a circus! | 8:53 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

The circus is truly coming to town. It's laughable to think these city leaders think they have a handle on "running" a school district. Can't wait to watch them canibalize each other. Midvale is going to be eaten alive, and there will be issues between Sandy and Draper. When the self-promoting Cottonwood Height mayor tries to throw is weight around, it ought to be very interesting. Maybe they can hold graduation ceremonies in the new stadium. Whoopee.

Go Herriman! | 9:00 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

Hopefully the District Court will see this from the west side's perspective and rule the vote unconstitutional, but I'm not holding my breath.

Maybe the voucher people should have pushed to have only current students of private schools vote on Ref. 1. ;-)

Steven Jarvis | 9:02 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

After rebuilding Jordan High, Copperview Elementary, Sandy Elementary and building a few new schools over in Draper the last several years I am very saddened by the end the best district in the state. I want to thank those 47 percent of the voters who opposed this nonsense and wish you the best.

Now what of the bond rating? The East side is likely done with building schools even though the Draper area is still booming. They still have to pay for Jordan's current bonds and any new building would cause taxes to go up. The West side has one project that they need now that isn't already bonded--a new district office building. I suggest renting out some place instead.

The legislature is already in the process of an equalization plan that should benefit the new Jordan School District (that being those left behind). It probably will hurt the East side and smaller school districts though, but Alpine and Jordan expect to see more building revenue if that proposal makes it through.

As far as personnel, Jordan should offer highly qualified teachers to move rather freely this summer to either the East or the West.

Draper | 9:03 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

Speechless, where was Jordan School Dist. for Draper when they needed their high school? Ship their kids by bus and pass Alta High to Jordan High or Riverton High. Draper had the same growth some of the west side towns have had. Make the builders pay for the schools when they build. Make it part of their fees.

eastsider | 9:04 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

to set the record straight, speechless, there are now more schools on the west side than on the east side, with West Jordan having two high schools, just like Sandy. My children in Sandy deserve just as nice a facility to attend school in as the students in Herriman and Riverton. There is a difference, get in your car and take a drive. We have more than paid the west side back.

No Taxpayer Left Behind | 9:05 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

Yes they have the right. But so should those on the West side. They now have to make a brand new district that they didn't get to vote for. The election also cancels out votes in previous elections for school board members. This reeks of of trampling on the rights of citizens.

The legislature is going to make a county wide building plan now and all of our taxes are going to go up.

Ted | 9:10 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

Hmmm, $26 million in start-up costs that could have been spent on school children? What a waste. Nice job, east side.

rebuttal | 9:13 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

It is true that the people who voted to have a separate district have that right; however, so do the others in Jordan District who are/will be affected by that split. Why should only those who wanted the split be allowed to vote? The legislature will not change the rules of the division because this split works well for them; it is easier to influence and control smaller identities than it is to work with a larger institution. In addition, the voucher referendum has nothing to do with the JSD split, sanctimonious pontificators or not. The voucher law was simply flawed in multiple aspects and the supporters of this did not share that information freely (only kindergartners would get vouchers this first year, then first and kindergarten--it would take twelve years for all grades to benefit; also, if you have a student in private school now, your children would never be eligible for a voucher unless younger than kindergarten age). This was never a vote for parent choice--parent's have always had a choice--it was about money, as usual.

Hopeless | 9:14 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

I attented an east side High School. There has always been a rift between the east side and west sides. Schools especially. Talking down about the west side schools and how the kids aren't as good as the east side kids was a common everyday occurrence.The east side with all their money think they are superior all ready. What is it teaching our children (at a very early age) splitting the east from the west makes it extremely hard to explain to our kids on the west side why the east side wants their own district instead of having a district where there is a mix of kids from both the east and west sides. My kids all attended west side high schools and they might not have the money the east side kids do, but they are very humble and have their integrity left. If there is a way to petition this one I'm all in. I would like a chance to voice my opinion by voting, but then I'm just from the west
side.

Jordash | 9:16 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

I don't even live on the east side, but I recognize their right to create their own district that they control. East side schools were payed for by an east side tax base, before the west had developed. Now the west side somehow thinks they are entitled to the east's tax revenues? Where is the fairness in that. It's only fair to allow the east self determination in their children's education.

Anonymous | 9:25 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

Hey speechless you do know that the EAST side has paid the Lion's share of the taxes for JSD don't you. Oh and guess what even now the East side has paid 53% of the taxes so how have we ridden on the backs of Riverton, Herriman, and Bluffdale?

Anonymous | 9:29 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

I loved the quote by the school board president. neither Vouchers or this split was good for the students. What does that say?

JoeB | 9:37 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

Get real speechless. There was hardly anyone living on the farms in the west to help build schools when the east was booming. It was the booming east that paid for their own schools themselves.

Now the west can do the same, and the east can address their deteriorating infrastructure.

PJ | 9:37 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

"These people that voted for a seperate district have that right."

Yes, they do. Too bad I was denied the right to vote on something that may affect me and my family much more than those who actually got to vote.

Kind of like having a presidential election and only allowing those on the east of the Mississippi the right to vote.

To Speechless | 9:37 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

What percentage of the west side population actually participated in the funding of the east side schools mentioned? Most if not all of these east side schools were funded when the west side of the valley was at a very low population with most of that in non-taxable green belt status. If the demographics of the valley's population had not experienced such a dramatic change in the last 10 years you would have a valid point, instead it appears that you are upset about losing the east side funding for your growth.

Get Real | 9:45 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

Dear Speechless,
Perhaps a dose of reality will help with your morning after blues. In fact the communities and homeowners on the "east side", for the better part of three decades, paid for your schools. Over that time the taxpayers of the east side communities paid on average 58% of the school taxes and received back, in school, student and building funding, less than 36%. Schools in Sandy, Cottonwood Heights and Holladay have been closed for years while the taxes remained the same or increased. Your whinning about the loss of east side money only underscores that west siders' opposition to the split is a desire to perpetuate being subsidized. Time to pull your weight.

evensteven | 9:48 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

Speechless needs to take a breath! No money from the west side was ever spent on an east side school. EVER. Demographics and assessed valuations placed nearly 75% of the total financing burden on the east side starting in the early 1980s. That has dropped to 57% now. If the east side is contributing more than half the money and half (only as of this year) of the facilities are on the west side, how could the west side possibly have contributed to east side schools. Simple math shows they didn't. All the west side ever did was contribute to the building of facilities on their side of the district, in their own neighborhoods.

As for Real, unless you stay in a SL County hotel, none of your taxes will ever pay for part of the soccer stadium complex. The bonds are funded (principal and interest) by the transient room tax (essentially a sales tax on the room cost). Because of this funding mechanism, residents and taxpayers can only benefit.

Mayor Cullimore is right. This is a great opportunity to create positive change in education. The possibilities are really quite exciting.

Daniel Z. | 9:52 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

It's time for the state to take over the responsibility for building schools and other capital expenses. Then we can have small school districts without this fuss over who pays for what.

Unfair | 9:54 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

Define unfair. West Side Schools that significantly underperform East Side Schools with similar financial resources? Sounds unfair to the students. Lets keep the eye on the prize here, what is the real goal of this? To educate students, or are we all squabbling over the piece of the pie that another pays for but we have been eating?

If you don't like it, there is always private schools or vouchers. Oh wait, you killed that too.

Re: Accountability | 9:56 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

Ya, good luck! All that rhetoric was just window dressing to get what they wanted. None of that will come to fruition. This was never about the kids!

Long time payer | 10:02 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

I grew up on the east side. I went to Kindergarten in the summer because of lack of schools. I went to first grade in the afternoon while we waited for a school to be built. When many of the east side schools were built, there was almost no west side to help pay for them.

JSD has 41 schools (28 elementary, 8 middle schools, 5 high schools) in Sandy, Cottonwood Heights, Midvale, and Draper. There are 44 (28 elementary, 11 middle schools, 5 high schools) in Herriman, West Jordan, South Jordan, and Riverton. It appears to me that the east side has already participated in building more schools for the west side than the other way around.

Jared | 10:12 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

It's a sad day when only part of the Jordan School District gets to vote on something that changes things for everybody. I hope you enjoy all those nice school built for you and your children. We need more of them on the other developing side side of the valley, but don't worry we'll build them.

Please don't come crying to us for the $26 Million Dollars you'll need for start up. Wow, you were really thinking of the children on this vote!

No flaw | 10:25 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

Only east-siders were allowed a vote because this was a vote for THOSE CITIES to form THEIR OWN school district. I suppose people like Westsider would have liked a say in the SLC mayoral election, too?

Teacher | 10:25 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

As sensitive as it may be, this is an issue of class and of race. I am horrified that in the new millenium there are still individuals who support a segregated society. I teach in Jordan District at a school where west side kids and east side kids are brought together and though there are issues that arise (quite few), both benefit from being around the other. In fact, in my enrichment homeroom today (soccer emphasis), an east side soccer girl and a west side soccer boy played on the same team, laughed together, spoke back and forth in spanish, and learned that these differences that we adults place so much emphasis on, really are just skin deep.

Arm of Orion | 10:27 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

If the Desnews doesn't edit this, which it will because it challenges their opinion, I hope to expel misconceptions.

First, this has been deemed perfectly constitutional by the regional court and was ignored by the 10th circuit. So guess what were fine on that point.

Second, you say "no taxation w/out representation" while the new district says "no representation without taxation." Therefore since you people on the West side are not Directly taxed by this entity you have about as much say as the people of Colorado have in electing the Governor of Utah.

Third, the East side has paid most of the Taxes to build the new schools for the exploding population on the West.

Fourth, the taxes on the West Side would gave up anyways and now they will go up less than if the JSD was massive.

Grab your wallet | 10:31 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

This one's gonna get expensive. Too bad the money will be wasted on a few cities wanting "control" and not to benefit student education.

Split Vs. Divorce | 10:31 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

The split of the Jordan School District is just like a divorce meaning the children will suffer the most. The extra money for the new district will need to come from somewhere - this means children's programs will be cut. This law reminds me of the civil war. When the South voted to secede from the Union, the North went to war to stop it. And just as the people that voted for the separate (not seperate) district have that right, the people who didn't get to vote have the right to go to court to see that their voting rights are upheld. The split will negatively impact the resources of all students in the former Jordan School District not just the student of the new district. The legislature passed a foolish law. What if Congress passed a law that allowed only the people who made more that $100,000 a year to vote on a law that would cap the amount of Federal income tax they should pay to $4,000 a year, no matter how much money they made? If you were one of them, wouldn't you think this is a great law? But wouldn't the children be negatively impacted?

except Doug | 10:35 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

"It'll be interesting to see if some of the same individuals who are sanctimoniously pontificating about how "the will of the people" rejected vouchers will now run screaming to the courts to try to stop the JSD from splitting."

EVERYBODY got to vote on vouchers. It would be the equivalent of letting only those parents whose kids were already in private school be the only voters on Prop. 1.

Not exactly Democracy at work.

It will be interesting to watch the taxpayer money be spent on this one. Nice job legislature. Way to screw it up AGAIN.

The legislature should be voted MVP of the Bar Association as so much of what they pass seems to end up before a judge with LOTS of attorneys getting huge paydays.

kdumont | 10:35 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

Time for those of us who live in the affected area of the split to stop spending money in the new district area. Let's build our own communities up wherever and wherever possible.

re speechless | 10:37 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

Where do you get off that the community in Sandy and Draper abandoned you. Last time I checked I have paid for a new Riverton High, a new Copper Hills high and several years ago West Jordan High and numerous other new middle and elementary schools. 20 years ago I moved to Sandy and paid higher property taxes to build your communities and my communities schools. I just want my taxes to put air conditioning in our elementary and middle school etc. If you think you should vote on my school disrict why don't I vote on your mayor?

Reality | 10:39 a.m. Nov. 7, 2007

Some east side schools are still open because they have students from the west side supplementing their numbers. Without those children from the west side, these schools may not have enough students to remain open. The east side forming their own school disticts essentially kicks the west side kids out of the east side schools, doesn't it? Kids on the west side will no longer be able to go to east side schools if they are in a different school distict, will they? I am guessing it is highly likely several east side schools will now close because residents kicked the west side kids out. That was intelligent. Cottonwood High and Olympus High will be missed.

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East side votes to split Jordan District

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East side votes to split Jordan District